Sleep – For the Health of It

Ever since we were young children we’ve heard mothers tout the importance of sleep – but the explanation of sleep’s importance has generally been lacking. In my private practice, I find that one of the most overlooked and undervalued contributors to our health is our sleep scheduled.

I attribute this to our superhuman mentality that we just need to get one more thing done before we turn off the light and put a close to the day. But maybe, just maybe, our lack of reverence for a good night’s sleep comes from a lack of understanding of the true importance.

At the risk of getting too technical and putting you to sleep, I want to help shed some light on what makes sleep such a crucial factor in our health maintenance.

Our brains produce neurotransmitters which are chemical signals from one part of the brain to another. These chemicals are responsible for helping to regulate our moods, balance hormones, sustain attention and concentration, and more.

Our brains do most of their repair work during our sleep. The greatest amount of repair work is done during the early stages of sleep, and since infancy, our brains have an expectation of our body’s normal sleep-wake cycle. So staying up late to cram for a test or finish a tax return jeopardizes the sleep schedule our brain relies on for maintenance, whereas sleeping in in the morning just rests our physical body.

He placed such a high priority on rest, in fact, that he set a Godly example for us when he rested on the seventh day.

“And on the 7th day, God ended His work which He had made;and he rested on the seventh day from all his workwhich he had made.” (Genesis 2:2)

4. God afforded us the opportunity for sleep, not just to experience physical rest, but to experience His peace and safety.

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid,when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”Proverbs 3:24

If you think about it, God created our bodies in such a way that it is impossible for us to fall asleep in the midst of physical danger. And yet, when we are able to let ourselves sleep, we can rest in His provision of safety knowing that God never sleeps.

During the most difficult trials in my life, I was quickest to sacrifice was my sleep. When my husband went through a health crisis and then a reduction in force with his corporation, I jumped in and just did more.

The more I did, the less I slept until things got out of hand and I had worked myself into a schedule of sleeping less than four hours of sleep each night. Looking back on it, I can’t tell you how I did it. By nature

Unfortunately, it took its toll on me, my physical health, and my emotional well-being.

In honor of my commitment to take better care of myself and be more physically and mentally present for my family, I also had to commit to making sleep a higher priority than it had been.

As you make your physical and emotional health a higher priority, do you need to commit to taking a step toward a more consistent sleep schedule?

Replay of Free Webinar – 10 Tips to Beat the Blues

Do you or a loved one suffer from the blues?

I recently hosted a Free Educational Webinar with 10 practical tips to offer help and hope to beat the blues. I had so much feedback of lives that were touched, I decided to offer a Replay of the Webinar so that others could also be encouraged.

Here’s what some attendees have had to say:

“Your personal examples made you believable and relatable. It was practical and excellent advice and I know people were helped and encouraged.” – Cindy

“All of your hard work showed in the presentation. Your voice is so compelling with a touch of authority, yet your sweet personality came through when you called out the names of those who had questions or comments. Each tip is filled with wisdom and motivation.” – Carolyn

“What a mighty work God has done and your story is a testimony for anyone being stirred to spread her wings but feels the downward pull of an enemy at risk, an enemy defeated!” – Margie

For more information, click on the image.

(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)

Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.

Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide

An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression

As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats

Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations

In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.

For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.

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1 Comment

In my years of family practice I saw many patients with physical problems related to lack of sleep. Some of them had sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, but in far too many cases the sleep loss was due to lifestyle and stress; and unfortunately most did not recognize it as a problem or felt powerless to change. Thanks for reminding us that sleep is not a luxury, it is necessary to our well=being.